Institute Admissions Specialist

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE: This role manages and executes The Institute's admissions process, ensuring that applicants are thoroughly evaluated and selected in alignment with the program's high standards. As The Institute continues to drive enrollment at Ave Maria University, this position plays a critical role in managing applicant interviews and maintaining a seamless admissions workflow within Slate. Beyond admissions, the Institute Admissions Specialist remains engaged with students after they arrive on campus, attending program events and fostering ongoing relationships to support their development and integration into The Institute's community.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Admissions Process Management
• Conduct interviews with applicants to assess their fit for The Institute.
• Maintain and track applicant data within Slate to ensure an efficient admissions workflow.
• Communicate admissions decisions and next steps to applicants in a timely and professional manner.
• Collaborate with university admissions and marketing teams to support recruitment efforts.
• Manage a team of student workers to help with recruitment efforts
Student Engagement & Program Involvement
• Attend Institute events to welcome and engage students and to stay in-tune with the program
• Support Institute leadership in cultivating a strong sense of community among Scholars and Candidates.
• Support Institute leadership in running events as needed
Recruitment & Outreach
• Represent The Institute at admissions events, campus visit days, and outreach initiatives.
• Assist in developing promotional materials and communications to prospective Institute Scholars.
• Leverage data insights to refine The Institute's recruitment strategies and increase applicant engagement.
Administrative & Operational Support
• Ensure accurate and organized record-keeping for all of The Institute's admissions-related data.
• Monitor admissions trends and provide reports to The Institute's leadership as needed.
• Continuously refine and improve interview and selection processes to uphold the integrity of the program.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree required
EXPERIENCE:
CERTIFICATION: N/A
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (WRITE BASED on job needs)

• Familiarity with CRM systems and data management in admissions is preferred
• Knowledge of The Institute's mission, values, and program
• Strong ability to connect with applicants, students, and stakeholders through professional and engaging communication
• Ability to evaluate candidates effectively through structured interviews and holistic review.
• Detail-oriented approach to managing admissions workflows, tracking data, and maintaining records
• Ability to represent The Institute at events and foster meaningful relationships with students.
• Capacity to handle a high volume of applicants, adapt to changing enrollment trends, and refine admissions strategies
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and under supervision
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Strong ability to articulate The Institute's value proposition to prospective students and parents
• Willingness to attend Institute events outside of traditional business hours to engage with students
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Must support the University's Catholic mission
PHYSICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• the ability to stand and walk
• the ability to manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10 - 20 pounds
• the ability to type and perform data entry
• the ability to answer telephones and to communicate verbally
• the ability to sit for extended periods of time
WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed indoors with minimal safety hazards, and requires seated, standing, and movement work.

About the Employer

Founded in fidelity to Christ and His Church in response to the call of Vatican II for greater lay witness in contemporary society, Ave Maria University exists to further teaching, research, and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the abiding tradition of Catholic thought in both national and international settings. The University takes as its mission the sponsorship of a liberal arts education curriculum dedicated, as articulated in the apostolic constitution Ex corde Ecclesiae, to the advancement of human culture, the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith, and to the development of professional and pre-professional programs in response to local and societal needs.